Apparatus for the manufacture of gas



(No Model.)

J. E. BIGKNELL. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS.

Patented Sept. 11, 1883.

WITNEggiS UNITEDv "STATES J. EDWVARD BIGKNELL,

or CLEVELAND, orno.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 284,801, dated September Ill, 1883.

Application filed March 2,1883. (No man.)

clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is the manufacture of a fixed gas of high illuminating-power by the mixture of gasproduced by the distillation of wood and the decomposition of liquid hydrocarbon at a nominal cost,- and to that end I make use of sawdust for production of the wood-gas,'and heat the liquid hydrocarbon, so as to obtain the vapor under pressure sufficient to force itinto the mixing-chamber. I also make use of an apparatus constructed to permit the rapid and continuous distillation of the wood-gas, and thereby save the labor and expense of stopping thework for charging and cleaning the retorts, all as specified more particularly hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

in which similar letters of reference indicate,

corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a part of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the wood-retort detached from the brickwork and with the cover removed. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the superheater, and Fig. 5 a detail view of the injector.

The woodretort A consists of a circular pan set in the brick work of a furnace, B, and'provided'with a suitable cover. At the center of the retort is a shaft, a, carrying rakes or scrapers I) b. At 0, in the bottom of the retort, is an opening above a dischargespout, d, the lower end of which enters a water-box, c, by which the opening is sealed or, if preferred, the spout may be sealed by an air-tight chamber. At f, above the retort, is a feedchute opening into the retort A and provided with a hopper, g. In the chute, below the hopper, is a piston, 71, fitted forreciprocation, so as to force the sawdust to the retort.

C is a superheating-chamber for containing charcoal, as'shown in the section, Fig. 4, and D is a second superheater, both heated by the same furnace. V

t is a pipe from one end of chamber 0 to the stand-pipe k of retort A. Z, is a pipe from the opposite end of chamberO, connected to a T- pipe, m, that v enters the superheater D.

. E is an oil-retort, heated by a separate furpace, and connected by a pipe, a, to the T-pipe m, entering the T in the manner of an injector, and terminating ina rose-jet, The retort E is provided with gages for indicating the height of the oil and pressure of the vapor. From superheatei D a pipe, 0, leads to a hydraulic main, 1), and condenser g.

In the operation of the apparatus the sawdust is fed to retort A by the feeder, the chute f being full at all times to prevent escape of gas. the retort is spread by the rakes, that are to be revolved by power applied to the shaft, and

the retort-bottom bein g red-hot, the sawdust is almost instantly converted into charcoal, and the gas, pyroligneous acid, and tar-Vapors driven off. The charcoal is carried by the scraper to opening 0 and discharged, and fresh sawdust being constantly supplied, the opera tion is thus continuous, and there is no accumulation of charcoal on the retort-bottom to hinder the rapid carbonization of the wood. The gaseous products pass to the superheater .0, in which is charcoal heated to incandescence. They pass through this incandescent charcoal and are converted into carbonic oxide. Thence they find their way throughT-pipe m into the mixing -retort D. Simultaneously with these operations the oil-retort E is heated, a valve in pipe at being kept shut until the vapors are at the required pressure. The valve is then opened and the heavy vapors are forced by the pressure into pipe m and the superheater D in the form of spray. The wood-gas and the hydrocarbon vapor unite in the superheater D, where they are converted to a fixed gas of high illuminating-power. This gas then goes to the purifier and the condenser, although very little purification is necessary. The products of condensation are drawn off by pipe 1' from the condenser q.

\Vith this apparatus and process illuminat ing-gas of high power can be produced in large quantities at slight cost. The sawdust, being a waste product, is inexpensive, and can be converted with but little heat, compared with wood in blocks. as fast as made, there is no waste of heat, and

The sawdust falling upon the bottom of The charcoal being removed a larger amount of gas can be produced from a given weight of sawdust than from the same weight of wood in blocks. Further, the operation is continuous, as the wood-retort is automatically charged and cleaned without stopping the operation'of gas-making, thus saving a large amount of time, labor, and expense of extra firing, and preventing the usual waste of-gas during the charging operation. By heating the hydrocarbon and introducing the vapors into the superheater under the pressure obtained by the heating, a thorough mix ture with the wood-gas is insured and without the use of steam for the purpose. The

pressure is greater than can be obtained by in a third retort; but by the arrangements used it has been diificult to properly regulate the supply of hydrocarbon vapor, and when steam is used it is open to the objections before named. I am also aware it is not new to use a superheating-retort containing charcoal heated to incandescence. 7

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patenta 1. The combinatiomwith the retort A, having the bottom aperture, 0, of the rotary shaft a, carrying radial rakes 1), adapted to spread the sawdust and transfer the charcoal to the ischarge c, as described.

2. The apparatus for making illuminatinggas, consisting of wood-retort A, superheaters. C D, oil-retort E, and connections lm n, substantially as shown and described.

J. EDWARD-BICKNELL.

Witnesses:

J. M. HAIGHT, J. BENNETT BICKNELL. 

